1st XI Match Reports

BROOMFIELD 6-0 CROUCH END VAMPIRES 06/12/03 A.F.A. SENIOR CUP

“Brooms" comfortably progressed into the last sixteen of the cup helped by a clinical display of finishing from the prolific Neil Hughes who bagged a hat trick and took his personal tally for the season to thirteen goals.

Neil Hughes in prolific form

Third division neighbours C E V where no match for their division one rivals. Despite defending fiercely in the first half they were easily cut open by the classy Brooms attack. Once the first goal went in following good work from Floyd Nelson to allow Hughes to score the first of his goals C E V capitulated, and goals quickly flowed from Hughes, Jacobs, Niell and Nelmes, the pick of the bunch being a fine solo goal from Hughes. The young striker is certainly proving to be Brooms find of the season and currently seems to be getting stronger with each game.

Brooms now return to league action over the coming weeks hoping to regain their position as league leaders.

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BROOMFIELD 2-1 OLD ACTONIONS 29/11/03

“Brooms" showed their fighting spirit again, by coming from behind for the seventh time in ten competitive games so far played this season. In a game influenced by adverse weather conditions both sides created enough chances to have won the game. Fortunately for Brooms Acton found keeper Mark Robbins in outstanding form, whilst easy chances where being spurned by the home team at the other end.

Mark Robbins in brilliant form on Saturday

The first half belonged to Acton with Brooms defending manfully against some clever attacking movements from the away side. Brooms hardly raised a serious effort at the Acton goal seemingly content to play deep in defence against the strong prevailing wind and take their chances that the conditions would assist them in the second half. Somewhat fortuitously Brooms did made it to half time without conceding.

The second half did not turn out to be the comfort zone that Brooms where apparently anticipating. Acton adapted to the windy condition better than Brooms had done and still maintained a threat on the Brooms goal. Although Brooms now had the majority of possession and where creating good chances Acton broke out of defence to good effect and where subsequently rewarded with a well worked goal when the home defence where caught flat footed.

Going a goal behind shook Brooms into action and they produced a fifteen-minute spell of devastating football that turned the game on its head. A good over lapping run from Andy Tomaso found him with time and space to feed a clever though ball to Neil Hughes. The young striker again delivered for Brooms when with his back to goal he sent his marker the wrong way before turning and smashing the ball in the roof of the net. Not to be out done Brooms’ other striker Steve Holiday then latched on to a the ball on the right wing and left the Acton defence helpless with a blistering turn of pace before serving a simple chance to the oncoming wave of Brooms’ attackers, somehow the resultant effort was blocked, only for Holiday to gleefully fire home the loose ball for his first goal since retuning from a long injury lay off. Brooms should have then made the game safe, creating and missing a hat-full of good chances, but in the closing minutes they had to rely on a brilliant finger tip save from their keeper in order to secure all three points.

The Blue Onlooker

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BROOMFIELD 3-2 WINCHMORE HILL (aet)22/11/03 AFA SENIOR CUP

“Brooms" extended their unbeaten run to nine games coming from behind to gain a sweet victory over last seasons Finalists and local rivals “The Hill”. This was not a game for the fainthearted with the fortune of both sides ebbing and flowing as the game unfolded, which kept both sets of supporters enthralled.

The Hill where quicker out of the blocks, their athletic and physical approach to the game giving them dominance for long periods of the first half. It was no surprise when one of the frequent chances created by Hill, was driven home from close range following a clever overlap down Brooms vulnerable left flank. Brooms defence had to show great resilience during the first half to keep a foot hold in the game with Keeper Mark Robbins and Captain Ian Nelson both in commanding form.

Ian Nelson

The second half saw a turn in fortunes with Hill unable to keep up their level of effort, this allowed Brooms more space to get their passing game working to good affect. The substitution of James Jacob for the over worked Scot Redhead early in the second half Allowed Brooms to get back in the game, Jacobs scoring from close range following a Brooms corner. Suddenly it was a different game with Hill now on the back foot and the lively pairing of the Steve Holiday and Neil Hughes looking menacing. Brooms best period in the game was rewarded when Hughes scored a typical poachers goal to put them ahead and his tally for the season in to double figures. To their credit Hill came back at Brooms and scored late equaliser, to take the game in to extra time.

Extra time was a nail biting affair with both sides having their chances but it was Hill who cracked when following a period of sustained pressure from Brooms a Hill defender put though his own goal to send Brooms into the next round. This was certainly a tough game for Brooms where their resilience and determination to win was tested to the limit. Fortunately for the home side Paul Georgiou and Tom Niell put in outstanding midfield performances to turn the game in their favour.

The Blue Onlooker

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BROOMFIELD 2-1 OLD STATIONERS 15/11/03 AFA SENIOR CUP

"Brooms" were made to fight all the way to gain a place in the next round of the cup, by a resolute Stationers side in typical AFA cup tie. Whilst brooms started brightly and created several good early chances to open the scoring, it was Stationers who broke away and scored when a loose rebound feel kindly to their forward who made no mistake from just inside the area. This reverse seemed to effect Broom's confidence and they failed to seriously threaten the Old Boy's goal for the remainder of the first half. Following a second half tactical substitution in order to give more width, Broom's attack gained more menace and they where able to equalise midway through the second half when the hard working Tom Niell fired home from a tight angle following a flowing midfield move.

The remainder of the game was played mainly in Stationer's half, and It seemed inevitable that Brooms would take the lead by converting one of the many guilt edged chance their attractive football created. However a combination of poor finishing and good defending keep the score level until (not for the fist time this season) Neil Huges predatory instincts carried him clear of an unsuspecting defence and he made no mistake, firing home from close rage to notch up his ninth goal of the season. Brooms had further good opportunity to put the game to bed but did not and they nearly paid the price when Stationers headed over from close range in the last minute.

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WINCHMORE HILL 1 - 1 BROOMFIELD 08/11/03

A fiercely competitive match ended in stalemate between local rivals ‘The Hill’ and ‘Brooms’. Brooms started brightly but as the first half wore on Winchmores’ physical style began to dominate. The home side deservedly took the lead when hesitancy in the Boomfield defence allowed a Hill forward time and space to cleverly lob goalkeeper Robbins. Winchmore were unable to sustain their pressing game in the second half and Broomfields’ more technical football style gained the ascendancy. Winchmore were on occasions reduced to fouling to stem the flow of Broomfield attacks, which saw three of their players, go into the referee’s book. From one of the many free kicks awarded to Brooms, Ian Nelson equalized direct from the free kick. At this stage Hill looked rattled and Brooms seemed as if they would go on and win, but they failed to convert several good chances to secure all three points. Brooms had to endure one or two anxious moments during the last few minutes of the game when they sat back and settled for a point. The final whistle blew with both sides level and deserving a share of the points.

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OLD EDMONTONIANS 1 - 3 BROOMFIELD 01/11/03

Broomfield won comfortably against the Old Boys from the A.F.C. League in the Middlesex A.F.A. Senior Cup. Two clever goals from the prolific Neil Hughes and one from James Jacobs saw Brooms into the next round without ever getting out of second gear.

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WIERSIDE RANGERS 0 - 1 BROOMFIELD 25/10/03

In a match between the S.A.L. first division and second division leaders, Broomfield progressed to the next round of the A.F.A. Senior Cup in a more comfortable manner than the score would suggest. A first half goal from Neil Hughes, after good work from Floyd Nelson on the left, put Brooms in command. Brooms well organized defence never allowed Rangers a significant chance throughout the game, with Ray Charouneau, Lol Wootten and Ian Nelson all giving outstanding performances.

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